'No Doubt' That Longhorns Win Big 12, Make CFP if Quinn Ewers 'Steps Up,' Says Analyst

One college football analyst thinks it’s quarterback Quinn Ewers that could give the Texas Longhorns a chance to compete for a national championship ... of course, that's if he steps up to the plate.

AUSTIN, Texas -- No pressure!

As quarterback of the Texas Longhorns, there's already enough of that on the shoulders of Quinn Ewers for the upcoming season. The Longhorns will wrap up their final year in the Big 12 this fall before heading to the SEC, and will have Ewers leading the pack along the way.

But while the expectation is that Texas can do much better than an 8-5 record and a loss in the Alamo Bowl given the team's new additions, one college football analyst thinks its Ewers that could give the Longhorns a chance to compete for a national championship ... of course, that's if he steps up to the plate.

National college football reporter Ari Wasserman of The Athletic recently shared his thoughts about Ewers, the Longhorns and Arch Manning, admitting that he's high on the Texas hype train.

And knowing Ewers' potential, he has "absolutely no doubt" that the Longhorns can win the Big 12 and contend in the College Football Playoff if the young quarterback reaches his ceiling.

"If Quinn Ewers steps up this year and becomes one of the top three quarterbacks in college football — which I believe is certainly on the table — there is absolutely no doubt in my mind that Texas is capable of winning the Big 12 and going to the College Football Playoff," Wasserman wrote.

But Wasserman noted that the Texas roster as a whole is much better than in years past, giving the Longhorns an increased chance at exceeding expectations assuming Ewers takes a big step of improvement.

"Listen, I’m going to drop the 'Texas is back' stuff and just really try to zero in on their roster," Wasserman wrote. "When in recent memory has Texas had a better offensive line? Defensive line depth? Skill position players? This year’s team actually seems propped up for a ton of success."

Despite some bumps, bruises, and a left shoulder/clavicle injury that kept him out for three games,  Ewers still had a decent debut year in Austin. Though there were some inconsistencies, he showed promising flashes, finishing the season 172 of 296 passing for 2,177 yards, 15 touchdowns, six picks and one rushing score.

But these numbers will need to reach new heights if the Longhorns want to do what has seemed impossible for the past decade and contend for a national title.

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You can follow Zach Dimmitt on Twitter at @ZachDimmitt7

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